iPad 2 shipments total 2.4-2.6 million units so far, report claims

Apple’s suppliers have shipped between 2.4 million and 2.6 million iPad 2 tablets to date, a new report claims. Citing sources at touch panel suppliers in Taiwan, industry watcher DigiTimes states that shipments of Apple’s iPad 2 have outpaced the original iPad. Apple is reportedly expected to take delivery of between 4 million and 4.3 million iPad 2 units each month between April and June, totaling over 12 million units for the second quarter. The iPad 2 has seen tremendous demand in the U.S. and globally, having sold out in nearly every retail location that made the tablet available. Lines continue to form as new inventory arrives at retail locations abroad, and strong sales have kept stock low at U.S. retailers as well. Shipping estimates for online orders placed on Apple’s website improved to 2-3 weeks last month but that is where they have remained ever since, suggesting supply still hasn’t caught up with demand. Apple’s iPad 2 launched on March 11th in the U.S., and we said in our review that it pushed Apple’s already huge lead in the tablet space even further.